Christian Romantic Comedy ‘A Strange Brand Of Happy’ Coming Soon To Theaters

Christian romantic comedy has not been a genre that has historically received much time on the big screen. Right off hand, we can’t think of an example. But that will soon change with A Strange Brand of Happy from Cincinnati, Ohio-based Rebel Pilgrim Productions.

Scheduled for release on September 13, 2013, the story will focus on an aimless bachelor, who loses his job and finds himself chasing the same girl as his manipulative ex-boss.

Writer-director Brad Wise landed a cast that includes Grammy winner Rebecca St. James (Left Behind) and Academy Award winner Shirley Jones (Elmer Gantry, The Partridge Family). The lead will be played by Joe Boyd of General Hospital.

Integrated Media Associates, the group behind the theatrical release issued a statement earlier this week stating they were “extremely pleased to be working with Rebel Pilgrim on the theatrical distribution of A Strange Brand of Happy. We feel it to be a fresh, engaging film with a faith foundation that’s different and will have broad appeal. It is very Office Space meets Napoleon Dynamite.”

Boyd, who also produced the Christian romantic comedy, said that funding for the limited release will allow the film to cover 42 markets at first, with the potential for more, thanks to a crowd funding platform named Seatzy.com, which was used to pre-sell tickets.

At the time of this writing, 441 tickets have been reserved for the project. This included 43 cities, which were not named on the project page.

While the numbers aren’t exactly on par with The Passion of the Christ, the story represents a different take than most faith-based entertainment that centers on the ministry and/or crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, whom Christians believe to be the Son of God.

It’s possible the more subtle approach of A Strange Brand of Happy in dealing with matters of faith could find a wider audience. If so, Boyd said the film could expand its theatrical coverage. Here’s a trailer:

The year has seen something of a resurgence in Christian entertainment with The Bible mini-series scoring big TV ratings and DVD/Blu-ray sales and Bill O’Reilly’s Killing Jesus slated to start filming in the fall.

Will you be checking out this Christian romantic comedy when it hits theaters later this year? What is your favorite faith-based film?